The McLaren Vale is home to fantastic wine and food, and today is the gateway to the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula, about an hour south of Adelaide. McLaren Vale as a region consistently produces fine wines from a number of varieties, most importantly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today it is Australia’s largest grower of Grenache. McLaren Vale applied for geographic indication in 1995 and was awarded its regional wine status two years after in 1997.

The Vale was named after David McLaren, the Colonial Manager of the South Australia Company who arrived in the colony in 1837. The first vines were planted shortly after in 1841 and the big names such as Seaview Winery, the Hardy wine-clan, Rosemount, Tyrrells and d’Arenberg quickly established their presences in the Vale. Many of the award-winning wines produced in the McLaren Vale region today come from 100-year old vines.

Today, the township of McLaren Vale marks the central point of this region, with Reynella and Clarendon to the North, Kangarilla in the East, Aldinga on the coastal edge to the West, and Mount Compass and Sellicks Hill on the Southern side. Many of the vineyards have also plantings in the adjacent Adelaide Hills thus complementing the heavier Reds of the Vale with some cool climate whites such as the Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay grapes.

I am surprised to find some of the top names growing Riesling grapes in the Vale, the test results will be published soon. Enjoy.

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Das McLaren Vale ist eines der aeltesten und ohne Uebertreibung eines der Top Weingebiete Australiens. Seit 1841 werden hier Weinstoecke bearbeitet, die grossen Namen wie Tyrrells, Rosemount und d’Arenberg sind hier seit mehreren Generationen aktiv. Seit 1997 ist das McLaren Vale als eigenstaendige Weinregion in Australien anerkannt.

Meine diversen Tests haben sowohl die bekannten Shiraz und Cabernets dieser Gegend als auch die Grenache Weine, die in dieser Gegend besonders bekannt sind, beruecksichtigt. Die fuehrenden Winzer des McLaren Vale haben neben diesen vollen Rotweinen diverse Anpflanzungen in den nahe gelegenen Adelaide Hills und komplementieren somit mit cool-climate Weinen ihr Angebot. Fuer den Geniesser ein Paradies. Warten wir die Tests einmal ab.

Ihr Michael Brecht

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1. South Australia – a wine lover’s paradise downunder
2. Kangaroo Island – new vines and wonderful wines from the green Island
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